KUMU

 
Kalama Pastor
 

Kalama Pastor, kumu hula and founder of Hālau Hula Nā Lama I Ka Uluwehi O Laka, graduated as a kumu hula through ʻūniki rites under Rolanda Mohala Reese in 2006. His artistry and stewardship are anchored in the teachings of Rolanda Mohala Reese, Mae Kamāmalu Klein, and Maiki Aiu Lake, further honing his expertise in oli under Kalani Akana. In 2020, Kumu Kalama founded the hālau to preserve and perpetuate these traditions, eventually establishing a home for the hālau at Waikalua Loko fishpond in 2025 through a vital partnership with the Pacific American Foundation.

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Alongside his traditional training, Kumu Kalama is an educational leader with over 25 years of experience in public education across California, Japan, and Hawaiʻi. He holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Master’s degrees in both Counseling and Educational Administration. A dedicated servant of the Koʻolaupoko community, he has spent the last decade serving in leadership roles at James B. Castle High School, Kailua Intermediate, and Kapunahala Elementary. His commitment to the region is further reflected in his active membership with the Rotary Club of Kāneʻohe, where he works to foster local partnerships and community well-being.

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By integrating decades of insights in education and counseling with cultural practice, Kumu Kalama builds a bridge for the journey—presenting hula as a lived discipline that builds focus and resilience. Grounded in the sanctuary of Waikalua, he is committed to nurturing an environment of growth and transformation where the next generation of practitioners can bloom and grow in reciprocal stewardship with the land.